Ryder Cup Captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin have both spoken of their excitement at their first press conference ahead of this week’s eagerly-anticipated match at The Celtic Manor Resort.
The United States Team touched down at Cardiff Wales Airport at around 11am this morning, where they were greeted by Montgomerie and his wife Gaynor, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, the First Minister for Wales and Richard Hills, European Ryder Cup Director.
They were joined on the tarmac by Phil Weaver, Chairman of the Professional Golfers Association, John Jermine, Chairman, Ryder Cup Wales, and Patrick Duffy, Managing Director, Cardiff Airport.
Pavin walked down the steps cradling Samuel Ryder’s golden chalice, won two years ago by the US Team at Valhalla, and his 12 man team will be attempting to retain the trophy and win their first Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993.
The players were transported along the M4 to The Celtic Manor Resort, a journey of around 25 miles, while Montgomerie and Pavin headed for an appointment with the assembled media.
After such an intense build-up, Montgomerie is relishing getting on with the task of trying to end the United States' two-year reign as Ryder Cup holders.
Pavin walked down the steps cradling Samuel Ryder’s golden chalice, won two years ago by the US Team at Valhalla, and his 12 man team will be attempting to retain the trophy and win their first Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993.
The players were transported along the M4 to The Celtic Manor Resort, a journey of around 25 miles, while Montgomerie and Pavin headed for an appointment with the assembled media.
After such an intense build-up, Montgomerie is relishing getting on with the task of trying to end the United States' two-year reign as Ryder Cup holders.
"It's been two years since Corey and myself we were both selected as captains," he added.
"Now, it is upon us, and we look forward to getting on that course. We can't wait for Friday morning.
"I think these matches will be very, very closely-contested. On this occasion, I think it will come down to a Sunday putt.
“The closeness of the event over the last years has been its beauty, and I think this event should be no different."
Pavin is also eagerly-awaiting the first Ryder Cup match to be staged in Wales.
"We had a nice ride over," he said.
"I think we are a little tired, having had an overnight flight. We will have a good day recovering today and be ready to go out there tomorrow on the golf course. We are glad to be here.
"I think we have a pretty good squad. I think it is going to be very competitive and really come down to who makes the putts. I expect the match to be pretty close.
"It's hard to win over here. Any time you travel overseas and play there is a home course advantage, and that's what Colin has this week. We have to overcome that.
"Team USA is going to play hard, play the best it can and try to keep this trophy in our hands."
Both Pavin and Montgomerie will announce their pairings for the opening morning's fourballs on Friday during the previous day's opening ceremony.
Pavin added: "I have thought about the pairings a lot and I have a pretty good idea what direction I would like to go."
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